Punch Shots: About time Amaro got analytical

The Phillies are an organization that is behind the times in terms of applying analytics to their day-to-day operation. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was never a proponent of hiring a “stats guy” and in the past openly mocked the sabermetrics revolution. That sort of lazy thinking and closed-mindedness is not the only reason the Phillies have fallen on hard times, but it’s certainly a factor.

Amaro has changed his tune, and now the Phillies are openly seeking a bright person to head their new analytics department.

It’s about time.

Bill James, a trailblazer in the sabermetrics community, has worked closely with the Boston Red Sox for more than a decade. The results? Two world championships and three trips to the World Series since 2004.

Everyone knows about the Oakland A’s and their “Moneyball” strategies. Sure, it hasn’t always worked in their favor, but the A’s have been a playoff team in each of the last two seasons, with players that aren’t necessarily household names.

Tampa Bay is, perhaps, the biggest success story. The Rays have done nothing but win year after year with the lowest payroll in the business and a manager (Joe Maddon) who thinks outside the box. The Rays have smart people on staff that look beyond the back of the baseball card, and are willing to try something different.